Integrating Cathodoluminescence into an Undergraduate Geology Curriculum

Abstract

Cathodoluminescence (CL) is fast becoming a very common research tool in the geosciences. The introduction to and use of the technique in undergraduate courses is a reasonable beginning. Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with the multiple applications of CL before the start of research projects and/or careers. Mineralogy is a logical course for the first exposure to the instrumentation. Once a foundation is developed, the possibilities for further use in courses and independent studies are numerous. With incremental exposure to the theory, basic applications, instrumentation, software, and finally image acquisition, the potential fear of such instrumentation can be minimized. CL has been successfully included in Mineralogy and Geochemistry courses so far at Illinois State University but this is only the beginning. In addition to the knowledge of CL and its applications, confidence in the use of seemingly difficult instrumentation will serve all students well during and after their undergraduate careers.